Simple ways to help kids learn the power of giving and and grow into caring individuals It’s no secret that kids learn best by doing. But they’re also keen observers as well as little copycats. I constantly hear from parents that they want their kids to grow up to be caring and giving individuals. But [...]

  By  Character Education Partnership “Teachers matter,” said President Obama last week in his State of the Union address. “Instead of bashing them, or defending the status quo let’s offer schools a deal. Give them the resources to keep good teachers on the job, and reward the best ones. In return, grant schools flexibility: To teach with [...]

Education has always been a passion of mine. Moral development and nurturing children’s compassion and empathy are the essence of my work. So when General Mills asked me if I’d like to be a spokesperson for its Betty Crocker Fruit Flavored Snacks “Win & Give” campaign, I jumped at the opportunity. This campaign gives kids [...]

One thing is certain, kids aren’t born hateful. Prejudices are learned. Hatred and intolerance can be learned, but so too can sensitivity, understanding, empathy, and tolerance. If today’s children are to have any chance of living harmoniously in this multiethnic world, it is critical that parents nurture it. REALITY CHECK: Did you know that today’s [...]

8 crucial steps educators and parents can take to reduce peer cruelty and create caring, respectful learning environments    Studies show that bullying is intensifying in our schools. We are also seeing an epidemic of so-called bullying prevention programs. Beware: three fourths of those programs which have been evaluated are ineffective in curbing bullying (Farrington). [...]

“I know my teacher gave me a present, but she’s getting paid for it.” “Why should I write Grandma a thank you note?  I told her ‘thanks’ already.”  “But it takes too much time! Can’t I just text a thank you?” If those comments sound familiar, know you’re not alone. While kids love receiving those [...]

Tired about all those ads reminding your kids what they “must have” and your kids are now repeating those jingles? Concerned your kiddos are preparing a wish list so long they’ll be disappointed no matter how many presents they get? Noticing the spirit of the season at your home is more “gimme, take me, buy [...]

The often overlooked and critical holiday skill  If you haven’t checked that calendar, here’s a word to the wise: in the next few days your child is going to be receiving a gift from someone. My question: Have you taught your child the skill of appreciation? Here’s another way of putting it: “How well do [...]

There’s no doubt that video games are a part of the plugged-in generation’s lifestyle. Research shows that 99 percent of boys and 94 percent of girls ages 12 to 17 play computer, web, portable or console games.More than 90 percent of kids play video games 30 minutes a day. In fact, video gaming is so widespread among [...]

REALITY CHECK: Empathy is the moral virtue that helps children “identify with and feel other people’s concerns.” When they do, they are more likely to reach out and respond in more caring, compassionate ways to others. Unlike genetics or appearance or most temperaments, empathy can be cultivated, and research shows that our infants are already [...]

Being fair and kind can be cultivated in our children. I’m in Cincinnati at the invitation of the Summit Day Country School to speak with teachers and parents about how to raise goodness in our children. This week I had spoke with Krista Ramsey, education reporter for Cincinnati News.com. Here is her report published in [...]

I’m at the Hyatt in San Francisco Oct 19-22, 2011 at the CEP’s (Character Education Partnership) 18th National Forum on Character Education. Join me! Interested in learning how to reduce bullying, increase empathy, build respectful learning climates, foster resiliency, encourage student leadership, or prepare students for a lifetime of citizenship? Then join me in San Francisco [...]

Acclaimed author Trudy Ludwig‘s new and sensitive book, Better than You, will prove a welcome resource for any parent, teacher, or counselor. It is also the perfect antidote for the troubling trend of kid arrogance. Jake’s story gives kids insight into what lies beneath the urge to brag and shows them how adopting a “better [...]

The family is the first school of virtue.  Even in our increasingly toxic culture, parents can still have the inside track in their children’s development because parents are their children’s first and most important moral teachers. That premise only applies though if parents choose to use their moral influence. Remember, children do not acquire strong [...]

Kid (and adult) vulgarity is on the rise with breakdown of respect and civility as consequences. Here are solutions at home and school to stop profanity and bring back civility! We generally equate childhood with innocence, so it can come as quite a shock when a foul word escapes from the mouth of our sweet [...]

REALITY CHECK: 64% of adults now favor “kid free zones” in restaurants, theaters, and planes. Time for an honest check – how are your kids behaving in public? You’ve spruced up the kiddos for a family night out at a restaurant. You intentionally chose one that hascloth tablecloths and fresh flower arrangements figuring it would [...]

Parenting advice on how to raise strong, confident daughters from the inside out based on research by the Girl Scouts of the USA What parent doesn’t want their daughter to be a leader? After all, that top role—be it, debate captain, cheerleader head, newspaper editor, play director, student body president-is deemed the epitome of success. [...]

Parenting strategies that help kids act right when we’re not around and nurture moral intelligence Every parent’s first concern is the same: “Is my baby healthy?” This question is one that doctors usually can answer. Another big question is far more difficult: “Will my child become a good and decent human being?” Most doctors would [...]

Parenting advice to curb irresponsibility, excuses and “blame games” and boost trustworthiness, accountability and kid responsibility Any of these sound familiar? “I forgot.” “Take care of this for me.” “It wasn’t my fault.” “I did some of it, but I left it on the bus.” “I don’t know where I put it.” They are statements [...]

Reports reveal new concerns to our children plugging in: Kids may be robbed from learning face-to-face interaction jeopardizing empathy, social skills, communication as well as crucial family time. Research and solutions I shared on the TODAY Show. The unique challenges of parenting plugged-in kids Our children are called the “Net Generation,” and rightly so. After [...]

How teaching children tolerance can curb bullying and peer cruelty REALITY CHECK: Did you know that today’s American youth are displaying intolerant actions at alarming rates-and at younger and younger ages? The FBI tells us most hate crimes are committed by youth younger than nineteen. Tolerance is a powerful virtue that helps curtail hatred, bullying, [...]

Teach your children to hang in there when the going gets tough, but know when to let them throw in the towel. Parenting advice I shared with Al Roker on the TODAY show Perseverance often makes the critical distinction between whether kids succeed or fail. Will they have the inner strength to keep on or [...]

Student cheating is an epidemic and the impact on their character is at stake. Parenting and educator solutions to a troubling and wide-spread national trend Latest Report Card on the Ethics of American Youth: FLUNK! Every two years the Josephson Institute conducts a nation-wide survey of high school students called Report Card on the Ethics of American [...]

Parenting advice to nurture our children’s empathy and compassion. Several years ago, our youngest son brought home a note from his teacher asking for parent volunteers to chaperone a class field trip. His teacher, Cindy Hollinger, was encouraging her students to give up their Saturday morning to participate in a race called “Lauren’s Run” sponsored [...]

Parenting advice to curb insensitivity, boost emotional intelligence and increase empathy in our children “Why should I care how he feels? He’s not my friend.” “So what if I made him cry. He’s a wimp.” “How was I supposed to know he would take it so bad? I was just joking.” Sensitizing children to how [...]

Proven tips to nurture compassion children and reduce peer cruelty Last fall I was on the East Coast helping a small school district implement a character education program. My first meeting was with a district administrator to assess the students’ needs, and the discussion has haunted me ever since. I began by inquiring about the [...]

Cures for the “Big Brat Factor” — parenting strategies I shared on the Today Show Hidden Dangers of Raising Spoiled Kids Of course we love our kids and want the best for them. We hate to let them down and don’t want to see them unhappy even for a nano-second. And we hate to think [...]

Troubling data revealing a breakdown of civility and respect in today’s youth. Parenting advice to turn that trend around and raise respectful children. “RESPECT: Showing you value others by treating them in a courteous and considerate way.” The virtue is glorious. It’s the basis of civilization and humanity. The problem is that it seems to be [...]

Parenting advice to encourage kids to lend a hand, do service, and make the world a kinder place The TODAY Show asked me to share parenting advice that will encourage kids to catch that glorious “Volunteer Spirit.” I’ll share more tips this Friday, December 3 during the 8 am hour on TODAY. You’ll also meet [...]

Parenting advice to raise morally courageous kids who can stand up for their beliefs!  This article appeared in the Gifted Education Communicator magazine, and I’m delighted to say I’ll be keynoting their conference on Gifted Children in Palm Springs on February 26 on this very topic. If you’re in that audience, please come up and say [...]

Five steps to stopping the Big Brat Factor by curbing selfish and spoiled kid attitudes If you think self-centered and selfish kids are on the rise, you’re right. National surveys show most parents feel they’re raising selfish kids. The truth is kids don’t arrive in this world with all the symptoms of the “Big Brat [...]

Parenting advice that helps you see the dangers of raising a spoiled kid and a four-word review to assess whether your child just may be even a tad bit spoiled. “Spoiled! Not my kid!” Right??? Or would you admit that your child is just a tad bit spoiled? All the polls say that most Americans [...]

Parenting advice based on solid research to help us raise caring, kind-hearted kids in a racy, raunchy world Something has changed about our children: the prevalence of abuse by their peers is increasing. Bullying is far more intense and starting at younger ages. And I have little patience for anyone stating the old “Kids will [...]

10 Parenting Tips for Raising Good Kids in a Racy, Raunchy World Home is always the best school for teaching moral behaviors, but in today’s racy, raunchy world parents need to be far more intentional in their efforts to building their children’s moral intelligence. Here are 10 tips from my book, Building Moral Intelligence: The [...]

Parenting advice to reduce kid greed and reopen generosity “But I’ve got to have a clown and a pony at my birthday. That’s what Tiffany had.” “Sure, I have six pairs but the more shoes the better!” “Grandma only gave me fifty dollars for an A!” Have you noticed that we seem to have a [...]

Parenting advice to help develop our children’s “stick-to-itness” and work ethic Many historians feel that one of Winston Churchill’s greatest speeches was given at a graduation ceremony at Oxford University. He had worked on the speech for hours. When the moment finally came, Churchill stood up to the cheering crowd, and in a strong, clear [...]

Children are hard-wired for empathy, but unless it is nurtured the trait may lie dormant. Here is parenting advice based on research that nurture our children’s empathy. Several years ago, our youngest son brought a note home from his teacher asking for parent volunteers to chaperone a class field trip. His teacher, Cindy Hollinger, was [...]

Let’s play “Back to the Future” and pretend it’s twenty-five years from now. Your kids are grown and they’re healthy and happy. They’ve now come back for a family reunion. Here’s the key question: What character traits do you hope to see most in your grown child? Here’s a hint and critical parenting point: Character [...]

Have you noticed how apologizing has become almost a lost art these days? A great number of adults lately (not kids!) seem to have forgotten how–from government officials to movie stars to plagarizing authors to “poor-sport” athletes. And if the offender does give an apology, notice how it often sounds insincere? How are kids going [...]

Did you know that more top CEOs in United States graduated from a state college than an Ivy League University such as Harvard, Yale, or Princeton? Shocked? Research is showing there’s a far more important predictor of a grad’s future success than the prestige of the school or faculty or even tuition. What matters far [...]

Though most teachers admit that there are some students they never forget, the same is true about parents. I vividly remember a mother of one of my students all because of the way she conveyed respect to her child. She did so beautifully in how she listened. I watched her several times throughout the year [...]

Parenting advice to help us raise strong, caring, unspoiled kids and reduce that “Big Brat Factor” element that seems to be a growing problem with kids these days. Our most important role is raising our kids to become capable, well-adjusted human beings. And in this consumer-driven, plugged-in, hyper-competitive me first, materialistic-pushing world, it’s not always [...]

One of the biggest reasons bad attitudes stay is because of a number of misconceptions about them. So how is your little cherub doing in the attitude department? (Watch out: Bad attitudes are in epidemic mode!) I’m on Talk Radio today on the Armstrong & Getty Show 910KNEW (Stockton: 1280 KWSX) ; Sacramento 650 KSTE (in [...]

It was an “interesting” week when it came to parenting stories. Findings from a Ohio State University study revealed how club membership may help reduce risky youth behavior. A new book out offers clues as to the crisis in youth empathy. A disturbing teen anti-semitic game in my own community is spurring outrage in the [...]

Parenting advice based on research-based tips to help us raise the kind-hearted kid every parent (oh how I hope!) wants Most parents instinctively want their children to develop a strong moral character and to care about others. In fact, according to a recent survey I conducted with Parents Magazine of over 2400 mothers, “Caring” comes [...]

Every parent’s first concern is the same: “Is my baby healthy?” This question is one that doctors usually can answer. Another big question is far more difficult: “Will my child become a good and decent human being?” Most doctors would have to admit that they just don’t know, and parents are often left wondering if [...]

REALITY CHECK: Did you know that tweens and teens say one of their biggest daily challenges are conflicts with peers? The Boys and Girls Club of America surveyed over 46,000 teens coast to coast and found that one of their biggest concerns was day to day conflicts without knowing how to solve them (without a [...]

One thing has never changed: kids will be kids and that means that do sometimes misbehave. Though there are no quick-fix behavior cures or sure-proof ways to raise well-behaved kids, research shows certain strategies do increase our odds.  In fact there are a few basic psychological principles that are proven to change behavior not only [...]

Parenting advice to boost our children’s civility and teach manners just in time for the holidays! All three of my sons attended a wonderful cooperative nursery school led by an incredibly caring teacher, Jeanette Thompson. The very first impression I had of the school was how well-mannered the children were. And, through the years as [...]

Five steps to boost children’s character and moral intelligence The teacher read Alfred’s misbehavior report and shook her head. It was his third playground citation this week and like the others it was about his derogatory, disrespectful comments. “Alfred you can’t keep saying negative things to people,” she explained. “You’ve got to start acting more [...]